Economy

BREAKING NEWS: Mullen buys Kleysen family fleet; becomes 2nd-largest carrier

ALDERSYDE, Alta. -- Canada's third largest for-hire carrier continues to grow rapidly as it announced its fourth major acquisition over the last year.

Caterpillar publishes industry outlook report

PEORIA, Ill. -- More than 95 percent of North American Caterpillar customers say business will be as good or better in 2006 than last year and 25 percent say new equipment budgets have increased for 2006.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Kleysen gives Mullen new intermodal track, pres says

WINNIPEG -- When he took over family fleet Kleysen Transport from his father years ago, Tom Kleysen made a deliberate decision to avoid the spotlight.

March Class 8, MD, orders break more records; Production slots closing fast

NEW YORK -- Preliminary class 8 net orders in North America hit another all time high last month, solidifying expectations that 2006 will be the biggest truck sales year in history.

Canadian economy to remain stronger, longer: Stats Can

OTTAWA -- Canada's economy is undergoing "rapid and profound changes" as all sectors scramble to adapt with a shift in trade to Asia from traditional north-south lines, says a new Stats Canada study.

Onward & Up: 2006 pre-buy significantly bigger than ’02, says analyst

TORONTO -- There's no longer any question the North American trucking industry is in full-swing, heavy-duty pre-buy mode.

Transport firms have no choice but to pass fuel costs on: CTA

OTTAWA — The Canadian Trucking Alliance is citing a recent surge in diesel prices to fuel its argument for mandatory speed limiters on all trucks in the country. Skyrocketing…

Controversial VanPort licence system won’t be extended; truckers gear down for possible strike

VANCOUVER - An interim licensing scheme that ended a six-week container trucker strike at the Port of Vancouver last year will not be renewed, sparking new threats of another bitter work stoppage by independent operators in the Lower Mainland.

Detroit Diesel G2 technician program lauded

DETROIT -- Detroit Diesel Corp.'s new G2 technician training and certification program is providing Detroit Diesel engine owners with faster service and improved quality. Just three months after its official launch, the program has been a success across the company's extensive service network, the company claims.

Euro pre-buy sends Volvo profits rising

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Volvo AB says net income has rose almost a quarter percent thanks mainly to a heavy truck pre-buy in advance of European Union emission rules that take effect this fall.

TransForce eyes Canada’s top trucking fleets; Intermodal firm in sight

TORONTO -- About 100 of Canada's 10,000 or so trucking companies are wearing purchase targets on their back, says the CEO of the largest for-hire carrier in the nation.

Bookmark This: Fuel and wages is costing shippers more, says CTA boss

TORONTO -- Even though tight transportation capacity has allowed truckers to haul in good coin the last few years, profit margins among carriers are not anywhere "near thick enough" to be able to absorb skyrocketing costs like fuel.

Trailer orders up significantly: Analysts

NEW YORK -- March of this year saw better-than-expected trailer orders, with total trailer increases of 66.7 percent year-over-year to 37,066, according to the transportation arm of U.S. investment firm and market analysts Bear Stearns.

2006 gloomiest period for manufacturers in last five years: Report

OTTAWA -- Manufacturers are expecting tougher times ahead according to the April Business Conditions Survey, published by Statistics Canada.

CTA pleased with tax cuts, border investments in Tories’ first budget

OTTAWA -- Canada's first Conservative budget in nearly 15 years is good news for small and medium businesses -- trucking carriers included.